Method and apparatus for developing film-cartridges.



E. H. FARMER.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING FILM CARTRIDGES. APPucATloN man Da-c.29.1911.

1,291,453. Patented Jan.14,1919.

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E. H. FARMER. METHGD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELQPING FILM CARWDGES.

APPUCATION FILED DEC. 29. i917.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

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NVENTOR @Tuk/VWM BY mgme Q LM ATTORNEYS,

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ERNEST HOWARD FARMER, OE LONDON, ENGLAND.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR' DEVELOPING FILM-CARTRIDGES.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Janie, 1919.

Application filed December 29, 1917. Serial No. 209,388.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Ennns'r Howann Far.- MER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at London, in the county of MiddleseX, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Developing Film-Cartridges; and do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in a new and improved method of and apparatus for developing iilni cartridges hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate my improvedmethod and to forms of apparatus for carrying the same into effect, selected by me for purposes of' illustration, and my invention is fully described in the following description and claims. l

My improved method and apparatus combines the advantages of both of the present methods inl that while it can be performed in daylight without the use of a dark room, the iilm is repeatedly passed through a small quantity of developer, thereby insuring the greatest economy and the best results in the developing operation. y

in its simplest form my inventioncontemplates the placing of the film upon a'support having suflicient surface to accommodate the entire film composing the roll or cartridge to be developed, and preferably holding it in annular position, a narrow space being` provided between the support for the film and the inclosing casing which protects it from the light, the developing solution, (and if desired, the fixing solution), wash waters, etc., being introduced into a portion only of this narrow space and by a relative rotation or movement lbetween the liquid and the film; support, which f may be accomplished by rotating the casing and film support or` otherwise` to secure the .iovement of the film in the small quantity of developer continuously with respect to the sensitive surface until the development is effected. f Y y iOther features of my invention contemplate special means by which the film may be introduced into and removed from the cas and by which the developer or other liquidsy may be introduced into and removed from the casing, and other udetailsnall of which are hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure l represents a sectional view of an improved developing tank for carrying my invention into effect.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a support for the spool or roll carrying the film showing a friction device or brake attached thereto.

Fig. 4 is asimilar view showing a slight modification of the friction device or brake.

Fig. 5 is a detailed View of a 4clip which is conveniently used for securing the film on the film support after development to facilitate the later operations. Y v

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of a detachable film support which may be advantageously employed in carrying out my invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates a slight modification of my invention, showing the developing tank used in connection with a. stationary liquid receptacle.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l, showing a modificationv of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 partly in section.

FigflO is a partial sectional view of a slightly modified form of apparatus.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. l to 6, inclusive, l represents the main body of my improved developing tank, which is circular in -crosssection, and`2 represents the cover or closure thereof, having an annular AHange 2a to overlap a portion of the body l, and preferably provided with an annular groove 2b to receive the edge por# tion of the body l, although this is not essential. The body 1 is also conveniently provided with an, annular bead, indicated at la adjacent tothe edge of the cover 2 as shown, although this is not essential. This structure is a well known box structure in common use in the manufacture of metall and other boxes, and the tank may be formed of any suitable material which will not be injuriously affected by the developing and other solutions used, or which is treated so as not to be injuriously affected. 14 is a rubber band fitting around the junction of l and 2. Within this tank I provide a supfort for the film which is preferably attached to the revolubvle cover 2 and preferably consist of a cylindrical drum 3 permanently or detachably secured to the cover 2 concentrically therewith. In Fig. l. I have shown the cover 2 provided with a permanently attached drumelover which is slipped a revoluble drum l3. The drum which forms the film support,` in this instance the drum 3, is provided with means by which one end of the paper backing of a film roll may be secured thereto. Any suitable means .may be employed, and I have indicated in the drawingsa pair of thin strips of metal 5 5 soldered at their ends or otherwise secured to the drum, so that the end of the paper backing may lloe passed under these strips and folded back around one and under another in the manner indicated in Fig. 1, for example, to retain it, but I do not limit myself to this particular construction. The .tan-k body 1 and the cover 2 are so fitted as to be capable of relative rotation, and it is to be lunderstood that `the film-carrying drum may be attached either to the body'l or to the cover 2, although I prefer to attach it to the cover 2 so that when the cover is removed trom the container the film support will also come with it.- The part which does not carry the film support is provided with means, which while detachably supporting the film spool, prevents the accident-al unwinding of its paper backing and film. Any suita-ble means may be employed depending upon thev type of spool, some ot which have holes running through their central axis, others recesses only, and others again having projecting trunnions. In this instance assuming the tubular type is used, a spindle 6 is located in such a position that the spool may revolve .between the outside of the con-V tainer vand the film sup ort. Upon ,this spindle is carried a tube Fig. 3, having at one end a flat supporting plate 8, and carrying` the spool which revolves upon it.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a brake 9 ot' light spring brass or other suitable material having angular end portions 10 provided with holes to lengage the tube 7, the brake l) being grooved inwardly so as to bear against the roll when the latter is in place, and this brake is so constructed that it will be held Jfrom rotation with the spool when placed in the tank. In Fig. 3 I have shown the brake provided with projections 11 for engaging the wall of' the tank 1, as shown inv Fig. 2, to prevent the brake from rotating` with vthe spool. In Fig. l 1 have shown .a modification of this friction brake. which consists of a roller 12 with a longitudinal aperture therethrough through which arubber band, indicated at 13, may be passed, the'ends ot'A whichare placed around the tube 7 of the detachable roll support.

I will now describe the operation ot the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 6 in carrying` out my improved process. The cover 2 having been removed trom'the tank, the roll of film is placed in engagement with the support 7 8 and the brake 9 by placing the brake over the spool and slipping the tube 7 through the spool and the apertures in the arms 10 of the brake. The end of the paper backing is then secured to the retaining de- A vice 5 5 on the film supporting drum 3,

it being understood that the drum 3 has a periphery at least equal to the entire length of the iilm to be developed. The temporary support 7 8 with the spool is placed on the cover 2 and a. small portion of developing solution is ,poured int-o the interior of the drum a. The drums 3 4 do not Aextend to the rbottom of the body 1 when the tank is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, leaving a space 15 through which this developing solution can escape into the annular space between the drum 3 and the outer wall of the tank. The body 1 of the `tank is then placed in engagement with the cover and at the same time the spindle '6 is passed longitudinally through the tube 7 of the detachable roll support, thereby securing the roll to one part of the tank (in this instance the body 1), while the end'of the paper backing is secured to the other (in this instance the drinn 3)'. carried by the cover 2. The operator will .then effect a relative rotation between the body 1 of the tank and the cover 2, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. This causes the roll of film `indicated at 16 to be moved around the iilm support 3, thereby unrolling the paper strip and film and winding the same around thesupport 3, as will be readily understood, Fig. 2 also shows the manner in which the brake 9 is prevented from rotating with .the spool. This movement is continued until the film is entirely unrolled, which can b e deter- 1 mined by suitable registering marks on the exterior of the tank and cover. Obviously, the relative rotation would be more than a complete rotation in Yorder Yto carry the spool over the lirst portion of the 'black paper backing and apply the entire length of the film around the film support 3, indicated in Fig. 2. llVhen this has been dono the entire surface ot the film will be supported within the annular space between the film support or drum 3 and the annular wall of the tank, one end ot the black paper being held by the retaining device 5 and the other end being held on the spool. The rubber band is finally pulled over the junction. The tank is now moved to such a position Athat the developing solution within the drum 4: can pass out through the space 15 into the annular space which is indicated at 17. Only a suflicient quantity ot this developing solution is used to insure the wetting of a portion of the film when the tank is set on edge, indicatedy in 'Fig 2, in which the solution is indicated at 18. The operator will now effect a relative rotation between the film support and the developing' solution. As the liquid tends to remain always at the lowest point, this can be very readily and conveniently effected in the use of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 6 by simply rolling the entire tank backward and forward on a table or other flat surface, or round 'and round in a basin, thus bringing every portion of the film in contact with `fresh portions of the developing solution and the period of development can be readily determined by timing the same.

It will be seen that this operation can be carried out in daylight without the use of a dark room, and even in the field, it being only necessary to have the developing solution and water for washing purposes. As soon as the development is completed, the cover 2 may be removed sufficiently to let the developer run out, when the fixing solution may be poured in and the film fixed in the same manner. After the film has been developed the parts of the tank can be separated and the roll disengaged from the spindle 6. The portion of the black paper backing adjacent to the roll can be cut ofi' and attached to the film support by means of a suitable clip, such for example as shown in Fig. 5 and indicated by the numeral 19, and the cover 2 carrying the film support can be placed in a vessel containing water for Washing the film, after which the film can be dried while still remaining on the film support, or it can be removed and hung up if desired. In some instances I may use the drum 4 as the film support and attach the retaining devices 5 5 thereto, dispensing with the revoluble drum IVhere the revoluble drum 3 is employed, as soon as the development of film is completed and the tank opened, the drum 3 can be removed after attaching the free end of the film thereto by means of the clip 19, and the washing and drying operations can be carried out while the film is on the detachable drum 3. By providing the tank with a number of drums 3, the development of other films can proceed in the tank while those developed are being fixed and dried on the detachable drums 3. The fixing operation can be carried out in the tank as before described or in a separate receptacle after the removal of the film on its support, as preferred. v

In Fig. 7 I have shown a. slight modification of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, in which the tank here indicated at 1a is provided with an aperture 20 for the admission and exit of liquid, suitable flanges or partitions 21-22 being provided on the inside of the tank to prevent light from entering through the aperture 20. In other respects the tank and its cover is constructed exactly as heretofore described, the rubber band being omitted.l Where the tank is thus provided with an inlet aperture it is unnecessary to insert the developer before closing the tank. A portion of the tank containing the aperture may be immersed in a liquidcontaining tray having substantially the same shape as the inclosed portion of the tank, in which case the solution will pass up through the aperture 20 when at the lowest position, as shown in Fig. 7, and may be brought into engagementwith all parts of the'film by rotating the tank in the tray whichis indicated it 23, a very small quantity of developing solution being required in such case, as will 'be apparent. In using this form of the apparatus, the developing solution can be drawn out through the a-perture 20, and the fixing solution and water for washing, or any other solutions, can be introduced and applied to the film in the same manner. While the relative rotation to remove th fil-m from the cartridge and position it onV the developing support can probably be most economically and conveniently effected in thesmaller sizes by simply revolving the two parts of the outer container, it may be effected in other ways. For example, in some instances the film supporting drum can 'be made rotatable with respect to the tank, in which case it is not necessary that the tank should be rotatedV to position the film. In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown such a construction. In these figures the tank is indicated at 101 and the cover therefor at- 102. On the inner face of the cover I have shown a revoluble disk 125, having an axial portion extending through the vcover and provided with asquared portion at 120 engaged by a suitable handle 127, which in this instance is a flat plate having a central opening fitting over the squared portion 126 and held in place b a retaining screw 123 provided with an enlarged head, which construction prevents light from entering the interior. The disk 125 is provided with means for supporting the film, and I prefer to employ a detachable film support, indicated at 103, frictionally engaging an annular flange 104, carried by the disk 125. I may provide the disk, in some instances, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, with a plurality of these supporting flanges 104, four being shown herein of different diameters, to receive film supporting drums 103 of different diameters. This provides for supporting films of different lengths for developing and also adapts the device for another purpose. For example, after a considerable number of films have been developed and dried as in the field or elsewhere, a largenumber of films may be rolled upon the film supporting drum or drums 103 and the drums can then be applied to the supporting fianges 104 'one within the other, so that the drums can be used as a storage or carrying case, transporting films or retaining them and protecting them from injury. I also prefer` to provide the disk 125 with a centrally located drum 129. The developing tank will be provided with means for supporting the film roll independently of the rotatable disk 125, which may be the .spindle 0, tubular support 7-8 and friction deviceheretofore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, if the spools on which the films are carried are provided with a longitudinal hole. It will be understood that my inven- Ation is adapted equally well to the development of films carried on other spools such as those which have projecting trunnions, it being only necessary to modify the spool supporting means to meet the requirementsof such spools, and in Figs. 8 'and9 I have shown one form of apparatus which may be conveniently used to support spools provided with projecting trunnions, one of which is yindicated at 110. In this instance the cover 102 is provided with a spool support in the form of the segment of a. cylinder indicated at 10'( having a bottom plate 108 provided with an aperture to receive one of the trunnions of the spool, and a top Iplate carrying a spring 108a which is provided with an aperture to receive the other trunnion so that the spool may be placed in position 'by simply pressing it into the shell or holder 107. The shell-107 is conveniently provided with a friction spring, indicated at 109 in Fig. 9, to bear against the spool and act as a brake to prevent the film and paper from accidentally unwinding. The

.film support 103 is provided with means for retaining one end of the paper backing, as for example, the strips 5--5 shown in Fig. 6, and one end of the lbacking will be at-y tachedto the film .support in 4this manner, the roll being placed in the roll support 107. The developer may be introduced into the tank inthe manner described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 by putting it within the drum 129 before closing the tank, or it may be inserted after the tank is closed, as preferred. In Fig. S, for example, I have shown two -meansby which the developer or other liquid may be introduced into the tank, either one or both of which may be employed. 130 represents a tubular part extending from an aperture in the bottom of the tank 101 normally closed by screwing plug 131. By unscrewing this plug, developing or other solution :or water can be .introduced into the interior of the tank after the same is closed. I have alsoshown an aperture in the cover adjacent `to the roll support, closedby a plug `132 andy communicating with the interior of thetank in such manner as to prevent light from entering, ifA the aperture is intended to be used as an inlet for developer, although this is ment will be effected by rocking or rotating the tank in the manner previously described.

It will be seen that in the use of the various forms of apparatus which I have de scribed, forv carrying out my improved method, the fresh parts of the developer are continually brought into Contact with the surface of the film, which is held face downward with respect to the developer, at the time of contact therewith, so that the motion of the developer with respect to the film prevents the adherence of bubbles or dust particles or grit, and there is no frictional contact between the sensitive surface under treatment and any part of the tank, so that no injury to the sensitive lsurface can result.

It will easily be understood that while a very small quantity of developer can be used by effecting the relative rotation between the developer and the film, my improved apparatus ean also be employed in connection with sufficient quantities of. de-y veloper to entirely fill the tank, in which case the tank may be used horizontally without rotating it. rThis has the disadvantage of requiring a large quantity of developer, which, however, can be partially avoided, if the apparatus is to be used in this manner, by providing a displacement member within the film-supporting drum. For example, by closing the supporting drum 41 of Fig'. 1 at the end nearest the bottom of the tank and thereby displacing the quantity of developer within which would. be required to fill the central portion of the tank and confining it to the annular space outside of the film-holding drum.

In Fig. 10 I lhave shown a slightly modified form of the invention in which the film spool and liquid-admitting 'light trap are located adjacent to an aperture in the side vwall of the container, access to which is obtained lthrough this aperture for the insertion and removal of the spool or roll, the said aperture being provided with a cover which preferably contains the liquid-admitting aperture and its light trap. In'this figure, 201 represents the container Vprovided on the interior with the rotatable film-supporting-drum 203,-similar to that shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and capable of being rotated by suitable handle on the outside of4 container as shown in those figures. Thecontainer 201 is provided in. its side wall witha ilo flanged aperture, the flanges being indicated at 225. The lateral opposed flanges are provided with bearings 226 for receiving and retaining the spool-supporting spindle 207 and brake indicated at 212, which is, as shown, oit the i'orrn indicated in Fig. 4. 227 is a cap fitting the flanged portion 225 and provided with an aperture 220 for the admission of liquid into the interior, in case the tanl; is to be supplied with the fluid by immersing it in a liquid, in which case the light traps are arranged adjacent to the aperture 220. Il' the liquid is to be poured into the container before closing the cover 2:27, the aperture 220 and its light traps can be omitted.

lNhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. The herein described method of treating roll films which consists in supporting the iilm in substantially annular form around a horizontal axis within a light-tight container, with its sensitive surface disposed outwardly in conjunction with a small body of liquid at the lowest portion of the container sufficient to contact with a portion only of the sensitive surface, and rotating the container about said horizontal axis, to bring successive portions of the sensitive surface into contact with said liquid.

2. The herein described method of treating roll films which consists in supporting the film in wound condition within a light tight container, effecting the unwinding of the film .within the container and supporting the entire film face outward in substantially annular position, introducing a small quantity of liquid within the container from below, by means of a light proof aperture, sufficient to contact with the sensitive face of the iilm at the lowest part of the container and rotating the container to bring` portions ot the liquid into Contact with all portions of the film.

3. In a developing apparatus for roll films, the combination with a container, comprising separable members rotatable one with respect to the other, a substantially annular lm support separate from said members, located within said container, and detachably secured to one of said members, means on the other side of said members for supporting a film roll, and means on said film support for securing the film thereto, whereby said film support can be removed from engagement with the member to which it is detachably secured without removing the film therefrom, to permit further treatment of the film and further use of the developing apparatus with another film support.

4r. In a developing apparatus for roll films, the combination with a container, comprising separable and relatively rotatable members, of a film supporting drum Within said container and carried by one of said members, a film roll supporting spindle within said container carried by the other member, located exteriorly with respect to said drum, and a retaining device on said drum.

5. In a developing apparatus for roll lms, the combination with a container comprising separable and relatively rotatable members, of a film-supporting drum within said container, carried by one of said members, a spindle within said container, carried by the other member and located eXteriorly with respect to the drum, a detachable roll support having a tubular portion for engaging said spindle, and a retaining device on said drum.

6. In adeveloping apparatus for roll films, the combination with a container comprising separable and relatively rotatable members, of a film supporting drum within said container, carried by one of said members, a spindle within said container, carried by the other member and located eXteriorly with respect to the drum, a detachable roll support having a tubular portion for engaging said spindle, a friction brake carried bysaid roll support, a retaining device on said drum.

7. In a developing apparatus for roll films, the combination with a container comprising separable, relatively rotatable members, of a film-supporting drum within said container, carried by one of said members, a roll support within said container, carried by the other member and located eXteriorly with respect to said drum, a retaining device on said drum, said container being provided .with means for introducing and discharging a liquid without separating said separable members, and a liquid-containing vessel separate from said container and having its bottom and sides conforming to and of a size suiiicient to inclose a portion of said container.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

ERNEST HOWARD FARMER.

Copies of this patent may ne obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti. Washington, D. G. 

